FALL SESSION TO BUILD ON GOVERNMENT ACTION OF THE LAST YEAR

Premier Lorne Calvert today announced the fall session of the 25th Legislature will begin with the Speech from the Throne on October 26th, 2006.

"The focus of our government is to make life better for the average Saskatchewan family," Calvert said. "The Throne Speech will outline an agenda that will deliver results of our strong economy for the benefit of all Saskatchewan people.

"In this session, we will continue our work to make Saskatchewan the best place to live, work and raise a family. We will boldly tell the 'Saskatchewan story' to the world, build on achievements to ensure young people have a bright future, right here in this province," Calvert added.

Calvert said the government will move forward on its vision and initiatives in progress from last year's Throne Speech which included:

• Strengthening the economy by providing significant business tax cuts, support for the meat processing industry, increased grants for aboriginal entrepreneurs, increased tax credits for the film and video industry, fully funding CAIS for 2005 and 2006 and increased immigration efforts;

• Providing support for students and young people by providing a two-year tuition freeze, increased skills training and apprenticeship spaces, support for literacy initiatives and funding for the Health Sciences Centre at the University of Saskatchewan;

• Providing support for families and communities by providing more affordable housing available through HomeFirst, an EnergyShare program to protect families from higher heating costs, reduced education property taxes on farmland, legislation to protect communities from gangs, increased revenue sharing for municipalities and the introduction of the Seniors Gold Plan; and

• Improving health care through shorter wait lists, a strategy to recruit and retain health care professionals, a significant investment in health care facilities and equipment, groundwork laid for a children's hospital and support for people and families dealing with addictions through implementation of Premier's Project Hope.


"We will continue to build on the achievements over the last year," Calvert said. "Progress continues on many longer-term initiatives such as our review of the music industry, our work on the issue of affordability and access to post-secondary education, organic farming and our examination of renewable fuel development and conservation in Saskatchewan.

"Another key initiative in the coming months includes a national conference on Aboriginal economic development.

"The upcoming session will focus on some important and difficult issues for the people of Saskatchewan, such as the pressing the federal government to live up to its commitments on a fair equalization deal for Saskatchewan and calling for reinstatement of funding for Literacy groups and programs in Saskatchewan. We will stand up for the right of farmers to decide the future of the Canadian Wheat Board. We will also continue working with people and communities affected by recent developments in the forestry industry to attract investment and keep people working."

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For More Information, Contact:

Jay Branch Media Services Regina Phone: (306) 787-6349 Email: jay.branch@gov.sk.ca Cell: (306) 539-3994